Booklet for parents explains risks of 'legal highs'

LONDON, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- A British non-profit group says it has written a booklet for parents to learn about the risks of "legal highs" -- legal synthetic drugs that mimic other drugs.

Maryon Stewart, founder of the non-profit Angelus, who lost her 21-year-old daughter, Hester, to GBL in 2009, said the booklet contains detailed information about new psychoactive substances and encourages parents to have conversations with their children about legal highs.

GBL, legal for use in the chemical industry in cleaning products, solvents and paints, produces a high similar to ecstasy. It can damage the kidneys, liver and the stomach lining and lead to psychosis.

The Parents Handbook was written by Angelus, Adfam and the Club Drug Clinic. Adfam is an organization which "works to improve the lives of any family member affected by the drug or alcohol use of a loved one" and the Club Drug Clinic is an innovative service for adult clubbers and LGBT people who have developed problems with a range of 'club or rave drugs,'" Stewart said.

The booklet contains detailed information about new psychoactive substances and encourages parents to have conversations with their children about legal highs and how to keep them safe.

A recent survey carried out by TalktoFrank showed 86 percent of parents had either poor or no knowledge of legal highs while a survey for Mentor showed 56 percent of teens ages 11-15 look to their parents for information on drugs, Stewart said.

The U.N. Office and Drugs and Crime last month estimated 670,000 young people in Britain ages 15-24 took a legal high -- by far the highest in Europe, Stewart said.

"Every responsible parent would like to speak to their children about legal highs. Just like they would about safe drinking or safe sex but are not able to because they do not have the first clue what legal highs are all about," Stewart said in a statement.

"As far as we know, this is the first specific resource in the world which gives parents the knowledge to have informed conversations to help their children to make better choices and stay safe."